GRIT
GRIT designs and manufactures the Freedom Chair, an all-terrain manual wheelchair with a patented lever-driven propulsion system that enables riders to navigate trails, sand, snow, and other rugged surfaces. The chair disassembles in under a minute for transport and is built with off-the-shelf bike parts for easy maintenance and customization.
- Mobility & Transportation
- Hardware
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Standard wheelchairs are typically designed for indoor or paved surfaces, limiting users from participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, beach trips, and snowy excursions. This restricts independence and access to nature for people with mobility impairments, while also limiting opportunities for physical exercise.
Solution
GRIT offers the Freedom Chair, an all-terrain wheelchair engineered with rugged mountain bike wheels and a patented lever-driven propulsion system. This design allows riders to traverse rocky trails, sandy beaches, and icy neighborhoods that standard wheelchairs cannot handle. The lever drive is tested to be about twice as physically efficient as a regular wheelchair, providing the benefits of shifting gears on a bike—more torque for climbing hills and obstacles, or efficient cruising on smooth ground. The chair is built for versatility, supporting daily fitness through upper-body strength building, family outings, and travel—it disassembles in under a minute to fit in a car trunk or be checked as a wheelchair at no extra charge at airports. GRIT provides comprehensive rider support, including detailed airline travel guidance, damage assessment protocols, and a dedicated customer service team to ensure users can maintain their independence and stay active.
Target Audience
Primary customers are wheelchair users seeking outdoor adventure and active lifestyles, including veterans, individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and other mobility conditions, as well as parks and organizations looking to offer accessible equipment.
Features
- Patented lever-driven propulsion system tested to be about twice as physically efficient as a standard wheelchair, with variable grip positions for torque or speed
- Rugged mountain bike wheels enabling navigation of trails, sand, snow, mud, gravel, and rocky paths
- Disassembles in under a minute with quick-release wheels, seatback, and footrest; heaviest disassembled part weighs just 25 pounds
- Built with off-the-shelf bike parts for easy maintenance and customization, often repairable at a local bike shop
- Multiple model configurations available (Freedom Chair 3.0, Spartan, Pro, Junior) with seat widths from <10-12 inches (Junior) to 16, 18, and 20 inches
- 2-year warranty and 30-day risk-free GRIT Guarantee